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As of now I'm trying to reformat a friend's laptop. It's an old one. Sony VAIO, with a 512 MB of RAM, Intel Pentium 4 3 Ghz with an 80 GB of hard drive. ATI video card I think.
The user is just someone who access Facebook, Yahoo! Messenger and a bit of Skype.
Most of the time, the user plays a game called Slot Machine from Slot Plus Casino. It's
a free game that simulates a Slot Machine game with virtual betting stuff.
Now, I hate Ubuntu because of the Unity thing. I did some research. Linux Mint and OpenSUSE.
Apparently, I'm confused. Linux Mint has KDE and GNOME as well as OpenSUSE.
Which of the two (Linux Mint vs. OpenSUSE) will I install and will I use KDE or GNOME?
What's the default Desktop Environment that comes with Linux Mint and OpenSUSE?
Which is better KDE or GNOME?
The user is really used to Windows XP. I can't use Windows 7 because the DVD drive isn't working properly.
It can't read DVDs but CDs are okay. I also can't install Windows 7 via Network Installation.
I don't know how to do a Network Installation of Windows 7. I only have 2 laptops (mine) with Windows 7 installed.
Anyway I'm waiting for everyone's reply. As of now, I'm burning Windows XP into a CD-R.
As of now I'm trying to reformat a friend's laptop. It's an old one. Sony VAIO, with a 512 MB of RAM, Intel Pentium 4 3 Ghz with an 80 GB of hard drive. ATI video card I think.
the only thing that's a bit low-end here is RAM. With only 512MB, you need something not too heavy. Therefore I would advise against KDE - apart from my own dislike of KDE.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
Now, I hate Ubuntu because of the Unity thing.
I heard rumors that Ubuntu automatically falls back to GNOME if there's not all that much RAM. But I've never tried. Actually, Unity is the reason why I haven't upgraded my Ubuntu 10.10 yet adn will instead switch to Mint.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
Apparently, I'm confused. Linux Mint has KDE and GNOME as well as OpenSUSE.
Then you got something mixed up. Mint doesn't have KDE. It has the choice of "pure" GNOME 3, GNOME 3 with extensions that make it look very much like GNOME 2, and Mate, which is a fork of GNOME 2. SuSE, on the other hand, comes with KDE traditionally.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
Which of the two (Linux Mint vs. OpenSUSE) will I install and will I use KDE or GNOME?
What's the default Desktop Environment that comes with Linux Mint and OpenSUSE?
Which is better KDE or GNOME?
This is kind of religious: KDE or GNOME? Bear in mind that there are more Desktops that you should consider. With only 512MB RAM, the lightweight LXDE (default in Lubuntu) or Xfce (default in Xubuntu) might be interesting for you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
The user is really used to Windows XP. I can't use Windows 7 because the DVD drive isn't working properly.
It can't read DVDs but CDs are okay. I also can't install Windows 7 via Network Installation.
What's the problem with using an external DVD drive via USB? Anyway, Windows 7 isn't fun with less than 1GB RAM (well, it's still a pain in the ass with lots of RAM).
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
Anyway I'm waiting for everyone's reply. As of now, I'm burning Windows XP into a CD-R.
Maybe Windows XP is actually the best you can have on that machine - especially if the person is used to that.
The way you put it, you set three requirements: A. That the distribution is friendly to a new ex-Windows user, B. That it installs from a CD, and C. that it is either Mint or OpenSUSE.
I would suggest Mint, because:
- It should work on the laptop, based on System Requirements.
- It is based on Ubuntu, therefore there is abundant newbie-friendly documentation out there.
- Add Cinnamon desktop, and you have a familiar looking graphical environment.
- It comes on a CD.
If you manage to convert the user, please update us so that we can be happy with you
Distribution: OpenSUSE 13.2 64bit-Gnome on ASUS U52F
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The two distros are good the difference between them is that Mint is a Ubuntu base distro (deb base) and OpenSuSE is an RPM base distro. I really like YaST package manager in OpenSuSE because does more than just manage package it also manage settings and stuff. It makes things really easy for newbies.
I never used Mint but I image is really similar to Ubuntu which I also use.
Mint does offers KDE in their latest release Linux Mint 12 but if you want to use CPU power for other activities I would suggest to try LXDE or Xfce instead of KDE or Gnome.
You can get them both from their web site in Xfce, I dont know if Linux Mint LXDE is available I know OpenSuSE is.
Here is the link to OpenSuSE download http://software.opensuse.org/121/en
Download the Network installation tool, Burn it to a CD and boot the computer from. It will ask you what Graphical interface you want.
If you decide to do the installation from the Network install tool I would advice to have the computer hard wire connected to a router instead of wireless. And depending on your internet speed you might want to leave it on over nigh the installation will take a while.
the only thing that's a bit low-end here is RAM. With only 512MB, you need something not too heavy. Therefore I would advise against KDE - apart from my own dislike of KDE.
So it's GNOME or another desktop environment lighter than that? Can you suggest any?
KDE is like heavy? Can you elaborate how heavy it is with regard to the memory usage?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc CPU
Then you got something mixed up. Mint doesn't have KDE. It has the choice of "pure" GNOME 3, GNOME 3 with extensions that make it look very much like GNOME 2, and Mate, which is a fork of GNOME 2. SuSE, on the other hand, comes with KDE traditionally.
What's the problem with using an external DVD drive via USB? Anyway, Windows 7 isn't fun with less than 1GB RAM (well, it's still a pain in the ass with lots of RAM).
I don't have an external DVD drive as well as a USB flash drive as of now. Well Windows 7 is okay with at least 1gb or more ram. It's fast specially if you have the latest service pack.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Doc CPU
Maybe Windows XP is actually the best you can have on that machine - especially if the person is used to that.
Well I just want the person to have an updated feeling when using the laptop as well as a system that cannot be infected by viruses.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marios Zindilis
The way you put it, you set three requirements: A. That the distribution is friendly to a new ex-Windows user, B. That it installs from a CD, and C. that it is either Mint or OpenSUSE.
I would suggest Mint, because:
- It should work on the laptop, based on System Requirements.
- It is based on Ubuntu, therefore there is abundant newbie-friendly documentation out there.
- Add Cinnamon desktop, and you have a familiar looking graphical environment.
- It comes on a CD.
If you manage to convert the user, please update us so that we can be happy with you
Sure, I'll inform you guys. By the way isn't OpenSUSE friendly to new linux users? And is there a
good Slot Machine game for linux?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroN-0074
The two distros are good the difference between them is that Mint is a Ubuntu base distro (deb base) and OpenSuSE is an RPM base distro. I really like YaST package manager in OpenSuSE because does more than just manage package it also manage settings and stuff. It makes things really easy for newbies.
I never used Mint but I image is really similar to Ubuntu which I also use.
Mint does offers KDE in their latest release Linux Mint 12 but if you want to use CPU power for other activities I would suggest to try LXDE or Xfce instead of KDE or Gnome.
You can get them both from their web site in Xfce, I dont know if Linux Mint LXDE is available I know OpenSuSE is.
Here is the link to OpenSuSE download http://software.opensuse.org/121/en
Download the Network installation tool, Burn it to a CD and boot the computer from. It will ask you what Graphical interface you want.
If you decide to do the installation from the Network install tool I would advice to have the computer hard wire connected to a router instead of wireless. And depending on your internet speed you might want to leave it on over nigh the installation will take a while.
Good luck to you.
Oh Mint and Ubuntu Debian (DEB files) and OpenSUSE (RPM) so it's like Red Hat? I haven't tried OpenSUSE and I think it's something that I'm also curious to try out. Is it stable or a lot stable than Debian or Debian-based operating systems?
So for the network install tool, I'll insert the CD into my laptop powered by windows 7 then what to do next?
For example, if I install a linux distro, I can always change the desktop environment and make it permanent, right?
Last edited by InnerPeace; 02-09-2012 at 11:27 AM.
Distribution: RHEL, CentOS, Debian, Oracle Solaris 10
Posts: 1,420
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Seeing as the system specs. on your friend's machine are relatively low therefore I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 LXDE which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled. The LXDE Desktop Environment has a smaller footprint than that of GNOME which is used on the Main Edition
Linux Mint 9 LXDE can as most distros be run direct from the LiveCD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive.
OR, there is another option also,
Damn Small Linux or Puppy Linux are also the best for slow computers.
Damn Small Linux is light enough to power a 486DX with 16MB of RAM.
You also run fully in RAM with as little as 128MB.
Puppy Linux runs from RAM, making it unusually fast even in old PCs and in netbooks. It is very small in size, 100MB. Puppy Linux includes a wide range of applications: wordprocessors, spreadsheets, internet browsers, games, image editors and many utilities....
Seeing as the system specs. on your friend's machine are relatively low therefore I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 LXDE which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04. Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled. The LXDE Desktop Environment has a smaller footprint than that of GNOME which is used on the Main Edition
Linux Mint 9 LXDE can as most distros be run direct from the LiveCD from Boot without touching your Hard Drive.
OR, there is another option also,
Damn Small Linux or Puppy Linux are also the best for slow computers.
Damn Small Linux is light enough to power a 486DX with 16MB of RAM.
You also run fully in RAM with as little as 128MB.
Puppy Linux runs from RAM, making it unusually fast even in old PCs and in netbooks. It is very small in size, 100MB. Puppy Linux includes a wide range of applications: wordprocessors, spreadsheets, internet browsers, games, image editors and many utilities....
What I need is an operating system that can access Facebook, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype and play Slot Machine through WINE or if Linux has a Slot Machine game, that would be great. Also an Office 2010-like application for linux.
Distribution: RHEL, CentOS, Debian, Oracle Solaris 10
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Quote:
What I need is an operating system that can access Facebook, Yahoo! Messenger, Skype and play Slot Machine through WINE or if Linux has a Slot Machine game, that would be great. Also an Office 2010-like application for linux.
Yes InnerPeace ofcourse Linux Mint 9 LXDE have all these features.
Distribution: OpenSUSE 13.2 64bit-Gnome on ASUS U52F
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Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
Oh Mint and Ubuntu Debian (DEB files) and OpenSUSE (RPM) so it's like Red Hat? I haven't tried OpenSUSE and I think it's something that I'm also curious to try out. Is it stable or a lot stable than Debian or Debian-based operating systems?
So for the network install tool, I'll insert the CD into my laptop powered by windows 7 then what to do next?
For example, if I install a linux distro, I can always change the desktop environment and make it permanent, right?
OpenSuSE is really stable NOVELL is behind its releases and also has a good community contributing to the project.
The Network tool is similar to the installation from a live CD it ask you questions on what desktop manager you want, it will ask you to select a lenguage, time zone, partitions, it will ask you to create a user and it will do its thing from there.
Remember to be hard wired for that installation, and allow time for it.
KDE and Gnome use lots of resources on your computer because they go heavy with the eye candies. Sometimes is not productive to have these eye candies turned on because they will make your computer slow.
The Graphical interface I like in OpenSuSE is LXDE, is light and still look nice enough with out using too much CPU and RAM power.
Yes InnerPeace ofcourse Linux Mint 9 LXDE have all these features.
Why Linux Mint 9 and not the latest one?
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroN-0074
OpenSuSE is really stable NOVELL is behind its releases and also has a good community contributing to the project.
So in your opinion, which has a better community, Ubuntu, Linux Mint or OpenSUSE? Yup I think Novell is okay or a lot better than Ubuntu.
I think they're similar to Red Hat. (my instincts told me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroN-0074
The Network tool is similar to the installation from a live CD it ask you questions on what desktop manager you want, it will ask you to select a lenguage, time zone, partitions, it will ask you to create a user and it will do its thing from there.
Really confused with this. Super confused. Before I did something with the old laptop, I'm having issues accessing my network drives that are in a Windows 7 laptop. Some of the folders can be accessed. Some of the folders have authentication issues even though the password authentication stuff is off.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroN-0074
Remember to be hard wired for that installation, and allow time for it.
No worries, I'll take note of that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroN-0074
KDE and Gnome use lots of resources on your computer because they go heavy with the eye candies. Sometimes is not productive to have these eye candies turned on because they will make your computer slow.
I agree, but for sure the newbie will appreciate it a lot. I know linux is fast so I guess no hassle with regard to the eye candies or being productive stuff. It's just going to be Facebook and Skype all the way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TroN-0074
The Graphical interface I like in OpenSuSE is LXDE, is light and still look nice enough with out using too much CPU and RAM power.
How will I be able to have that LXDE GUI without downloading the official package?
Like for example I have a GNOME or KDE verison, I can just easily download it and install it, right?
I suggested you this because of your machine configuration and I hope this is best according to your requirement.. Or you can use latest Puppy Linux.
But the older the version, the more it has vulnerabilities and less fixes right? Puppy Linux? Can it run Skype or WINE? And does it have a Slot Machine game?
I'm currently using openSUSE, KDE, and i wouldn't advise it on less than 1G. It does depend quite heavily om what apps you use and how many of those simultaneously, and while your friend hardly sounds like a 'power user', I suspect the experience from any KDE 4 distro will be a bit frustrating. Unless the RAM is upgraded, of course (even 768M would be better, and might just be enough, at a push).
Suse does have a wide range of environments available (some gnomes, XFCE, LXDE, Enlightenment, a *box, Windowmaker, KDE 3, etc), but I'd only suggest XFCE, LXDE or Enlightenment; Gnome isn't that much lighter than KDE, Windowmaker (and whichever box that *box is) is much lighter, but could feel 'primitive'. KDE 3 might be an option; really a lot lighter than KDE 4, vaguely a Windows-like philosophy, which will minimise the culture shock (a bit) but it is doubtful how much it will be getting updated as time goes on.
If Enlightenment was an option (slightly weird, compared to more mainstream choices, but a good eye candy : heaviness ratio...it depends on the user whether this would be acceptable - probably some will love it and some will hate it), then Bodhi/Bloathi would also be a good choice. Probably not the level of user friendly documentation that you'd expect from Suse, though.
So it's GNOME or another desktop environment lighter than that? Can you suggest any?
KDE is like heavy? Can you elaborate how heavy it is with regard to the memory usage?
among all the desktop environments out there, KDE is probably the one with most whistles and bells - many visual effects, animation and things like that. All this needs CPU power and/or RAM.
I'm quite sure that KDE is the most demanding desktop in terms of system resources.
GNOME is somewhere in a moderate range and runs well for example on a 1.6GHz Atom with 1GB RAM.
LXDE and Xfce deliberately lack some special effects and features, but don't require much power. That's the idea.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
It says here Linux Mint has KDE
Yes, Mint actually offers an alternative version with KDE, which I didn't know until an hour ago. But that's not the standard edition. On the Download page, there is the "Main Edition" with the GNOME desktop, and a section labeled "Other Editions" which lists the KDE version. So that's not intended to be the standard.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
I don't have an external DVD drive as well as a USB flash drive as of now.
And you can't borrow one from a friend? Anyway, naked DVD drives are about $20 now, and an external enclosure with USB interface and power supply is about the same price again. So if you really want, I think that's affordable.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
Well Windows 7 is okay with at least 1gb or more ram. It's fast specially if you have the latest service pack.
It may be fast on a bleeding-edge top-power computer. But still, speed isn't everything, and I can't stand how it's getting in my way all the time and stops me working. For me, XP is the final end of Windows.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
Well I just want the person to have an updated feeling when using the laptop as well as a system that cannot be infected by viruses.
There is no such thing as a virus-proof computer, as long as the software being installed on it can be manipulated. I've used Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP for many years, I've never had any anti-virus software. What for? It's important to use the system open-eyed and with a reasonable amount of scepticism against anything unusual. That's more effective than any protective software can ever be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
So for the network install tool, I'll insert the CD into my laptop powered by windows 7
No. You insert the CD and boot from it. No Windows.
Distribution: OpenSUSE 13.2 64bit-Gnome on ASUS U52F
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Rep:
Quote:
Originally Posted by InnerPeace
How will I be able to have that LXDE GUI without downloading the official package?
Like for example I have a GNOME or KDE verison, I can just easily download it and install it, right?
When you start the installation the istaller asks you what graphical interface you want to use and list all the GUIs available for OpenSuSE.
With the Network installation tool the whole installation is from the OpenSuSE repositories
the CD just have the software to connect to these repositories. Also the installation tool is graphical you dont need to type anything in a terminal. It is really easy there is nothing to fear.
Another thing the two distros are free of charge so you should download them both, install them both just to have the experience and then play around with both of them and then choose one.
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